SALE 20 DRAGONS 28

Newport Gwent Dragons put their Heineken Cup disaster behind them when they romped to their best win of the season against Aviva Premiership side Sale in the LV Cup at Edgeley Park last night.

Wings Adam Hughes and Aled Brew scored three tries in a cracking 11 minute spell to end a difficult day in style and prove that the Dragons can breathe fire after all.

They are now well placed to reach only their second semi-final in major competition, though they had to withstand a fierce Sale comeback in the final quarter.

The Dragons team, replacements, three assistant coaches and rugby manager travelled north, stunned after being told head coach Paul Turner had been relieved of his duties pending a hearing into disciplinary matters.

Backs coach and Wales Under-20 chief Darren Edwards was hastily summoned from a scheduled day off to head up the coaching operation though Danny Wilson and Shaun Connor were officially in charge of the side in a development game.

Will Harries limped out of the pre-match warm-up and was replaced by Hughes with Ashley Smith on the bench.

And the Dragons lost lock Scott Morgan within a few minutes of the start after taking a hefty bang on the top of his head, Adam Jones taking over.

Dwayne Peel made a typical tap and run thrust before Morgan returned to the fray only for the Dragons to concede a penalty at a scrum which Rob Miller landed.

When Sale were pulled up at another scrum Matthew Jones gave it a blast and the ball sailed over from 45 yards putting the scores level.

It got better when Hughes broke a tackle, linked with Bearman and Pat Palmer and when the home backs were caught offside almost in front Jones slotted the penalty to give the Dragons the lead.

They were now playing some decent rugby and Jon Evans and Hugo Ellis both made ground, then a Thomas kick spelt danger, but they were turned over.

They should have nailed their first score when a Sale pass went to ground and Brew picked the ball up inside his own half and dashed clear only to be overhauled by opposite number Ian Thornley.

That was the signal for a touchline punch-up which resulted in yellow cards for Morgan and Sale full back and ex-Blues player Nick Macleod.

The half ended with another long range Jones penalty shot striking an upright.

Jason Tovey replaced Thomas at the interval in a pre-match arrangement.

And within two minutes of the restart the Dragons got the first try of the game when Matthew Watkins broke through and sent Hughes over. Jones’ conversion attempt struck the upright again.

Lloyd Burns replaced Steve Jones who had damaged a shoulder and immediately the Dragons stuck again with two tries in as many minutes.

Hughes nabbed the first and his seventh of the season when Lewis Evans made ground and when the ball came back Tovey threw out a well timed pass for Hughes to finish, Jones converting.

Then Brew made up for his earlier miss when the ball ricocheted off a Sale defender and the wing picked up and strolled over for another try which Jones again converted.

The outside half added a penalty but Sale staged a grandstand finish and Welsh prop Henry Thomas barged over for two tries, Macleod converting the first.

Matthew Jones was yellow carded for a deliberate knock on with three minutes left and it got even closer when replacement Aston Croall scored their third try, but the Dragons were worthy winners.

Sale: N Macleod, I Thornley (A Tuilagi 65), J Kennedy, C Bell, B Cohen, R Miller (P Williams 48), D Peel (W Cliff 74), L Imiolek (A Croall 66), M Jones, H Thomas, C Jones, N Rouse (W Lewaravu), S Cox (captain), S Koyamaibole (C Brightwell 60), C Fearns.

Scorers -- tries: H Thomas (2), A Croall; conversion: N Mcleod; penalty: R Miller.

Newport Gwent Dragons: M Thomas (J Tovey), A Hughes, M Watkins, P Leach, A Brew (A Smith 66), M Jones, J Evans, S Roberts (P Price 62), S Jones, captain (L Burns 34-38, 48), P Palmer, S Morgan (A Jones 3-13), J Bearman (A Jone 61), H Ellis (G Thomas 69, Ellis 71), L Evans.

Scorers -- tries: A Hughes (2), A Brew; conversions: M Jones (2); penalties: M Jones (3).

Referee: Wayne Barnes (England).

Attendance: 5,126 .

Argus star man: Adam Hughes.